I Raided the Demon’s Treasury

Chapter 82

*Sshrrrr-*

A long system window unfurled in front of Se-woon.

Unlike the twenty items that had been drifting around him, this list was filled with rewards far beyond what could be imagined.

‘Damn it, that player… Just who is he?’

Tuning bit his lip as he watched Se-woon, who, unlike his earlier indifference, now had eyes gleaming while looking at the list.

Even if someone achieved the first rank, they were merely a Tutorial player. They didn’t even have a basic understanding of the system or the Tower.

But what about Se-woon?

As if he had read Tuning’s mind, he ignored the exceptional rewards being offered and insisted on selecting his own reward.

To an outsider, he might look like a high ranker who’d climbed the Tower multiple times, given his judgment.

‘And as the Administrator, isn’t it normal for him to be a bit surprised when I show up in person?’

When Se-woon first stood at the entrance of the Tower to complete the Tutorial, the Tutorial management’s office was thrown into chaos.

A total merit score of 1.5 million points.

It was an unprecedented score in the long history of the Tower.

The rank was so high that the system had become confused and ended up summoning an Administrator.

The employees naturally turned their heads away from this bewildering event, leaving Tuning no choice but to handle it personally.

Honestly, even if a subordinate had stepped forward to deal with such an issue, they likely couldn’t handle it. If they made any mistakes, who knew what consequences could follow?

That was exactly what was happening right in front of Tuning’s eyes.

‘Even so, it would be hard to choose anything better than what I had shown.’

There was a subtle deception in the list of rewards Se-woon was viewing.

‘All rewards.’

As promised, the list contained all possible rewards that could be given in the tutorial.

Just reading the names of each item and trying to assess them would be almost impossible.

Besides…

‘All the dangerous ones have had their names edited.’

Tuning had carefully prepared safeguards against any worst-case scenario.

At best, Seoun would only pick something marginally better than the rewards Tuning had shown him earlier.

So why, then?

‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’

With a strange sense of foreboding gnawing at him, Tuning found himself biting his lip unconsciously.

* * *

‘As expected, those previous rewards were for a standard first rank.’

The list before him wasn’t just dozens but hundreds of reward options.

Low-rank rewards were mixed in, likely to discourage him from making his own choice. But that didn’t matter to Se-woon.

Because Se-woon had repeatedly struggled through the Tower before his regression

[ Daggers of Swiftness ]

“B-rank daggers, huh. It’s a decent item, but it’s nowhere near enough for a first rank prize reward.”

[ Whirling Flame Tower Mace ]

“It’s a pretentious name for a famously unwieldy weapon.”

He could gauge their rank and value just by glimpsing the names of most items.

Thanks to this, Se-woon quickly sifted through the items.

It didn’t take long before he selected three worthwhile rewards.

[ Hardened Divine Blood ]
[ Emperor Taejo’s Battle Robe ]
[ Black Thorn Vine ]

All three possessed much greater value and potential than the ones initially shown by the Administrator.

Indeed, as Se-woon singled out these from the list, the Administrator’s mouth fell open.

Moreover,

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ watches your chosen rewards with gleaming eyes.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ praises your keen insight.

Even Mammon, the Demon God of Greed, acknowledged the rewards Se-woon had chosen.

Given Mammon’s usual indifference to everything but Durandal, Se-woon felt even more assured in his choices.

He was quite satisfied already, but given that the reward list was extensive, Se-woon continued to leisurely browse the remaining items.

After all, there was no time limit.

“Dear Player? Wouldn’t you like to make your choice and enter the Tower soon?”

“I haven’t heard anything about a time limit.”

“There’s no time limit, but during this time, other players are rapidly climbing the Tower!”

“I’ll take care of that myself.”

“Haah…”

Seeing the Administrator sigh deeply and fidget with unease only increased his certainty. In the reward list, there must be an item of greater value than the ones he was deliberating over.

As he carefully scanned down the list,

One item particularly caught Se-woon’s eye.

[ Small Key ]

‘A key?’

Unlike the flamboyant names of the rewards he had seen so far, this had an exceedingly ordinary name.

Even when he expanded the explanation, it lacked proper description and a designated use.

However, upon seeing the item’s image, Se-woon’s eyes changed.

“This, this isn’t just any ordinary key.”

Having been an adventurer and explorer in his past life, Se-woon had seen countless keys and locks.

However, the key that appeared now had a peculiar design unique among the countless keys he had seen.

It lacked the shear line that any key should have, and the material was an incredibly strong, rare metal—far too valuable for a mere key.

It was made out of ‘Orichalcum,’ a metal referred to as having been forged by the gods.

To the untrained eye, it would look like an unusual ‘rainbow key,’ and they’d likely ignore it. But Se-woon’s instincts were telling him to abandon all other items and choose this key.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ recognizes the key and opens its eyes wide.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven’ is astonished at the fact that it’s a Tutorial reward.

Mammon’s reaction confirmed his instincts.

Se-woon made up his mind and selected the key.

“I’ll take this.”

“Are… are you certain? Perhaps you’d consider choosing something else? Doesn’t this seem a bit… underwhelming as a reward for the first rank position?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Even if you acquire an unknown key, you will gain nothing in the Tower! The Divine Blood or Battle Robe you initially chose would be far better!”

“Ah, I see. So, this key is truly inferior.”

“Yes, yes! Trust in the Administrator’s judgment—it’s perfectly accurate!”

The Administrator tried to maintain his expression while speaking confidently.

But Se-woon had already made up his mind.

So why was he going along with the administrator’s words? Precisely to catch such a ‘slip-up’

“Then, you can simply add another reward for me.”

“…Pardon?”

“If it’s such a low-rank reward, then you should add another reward of suitable rank, don’t you think?”

“…… Haha! You joke well. The Tutorial’s rank rewards only amount to one.”

“So the Tutorial Administrator plans to hand a ‘low-rank reward’ to a first rank player?”

“That’s not what—!”

“What a letdown. While I, a powerless player, can’t do much, I wonder what the Constellations watching me would think…”

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ makes a sly smile at your greed.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ nods in agreement with your words.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven’ declares his intention to formally protest this matter to the Tower’s management office.

“T-This can’t be!”

The Tower’s management office was never concerned about player welfare.

But if the other party was a Constellation, that was a different matter.

Though Se-woon didn’t know all the details, he was aware that the Constellations’ influence could affect the management office significantly. Especially if the Constellation in question was not just any, but a ‘Demon God.’

“Haha! I must’ve been mistaken! In fact, that key holds immense value…”

“Don’t tell me, you weren’t trying to deceive me into thinking it had no value so I wouldn’t choose it? The person who’s the head of the tutorial management office.”

“How could I be the head!”

“If you can freely speak about rewards without consulting anyone, you must either be the head or a bad employee.”

“Ugh…”

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ forces a smile, trying to suppress the sneer as he observes the Administrator.

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince,’ grumbles about the lack of food items as rewards.

– The Constellation, ‘Serpent of Envy,’ makes a scowl, seeing the true nature of the Tower after so long.

Se-woon observed the Administrator with eyes that seemed to say ‘What now?’

Having foolishly tried to deceive a mere player who knew nothing, they now found themselves forced to give an additional reward.

He couldn’t change his words now; three of the Demon Gords, equivalent to High-ranking Constellations, were watching Se-woon.

Of course, given Leviathan’s current state outside the Tower, her influence might not be significant, but even excluding her, the influence of two Demon Gords was sure to be overwhelming.

Imagining the endless scolding to come from the upper echelons of the Tower, the Administrator bowed deeply and muttered in a low voice.

“One more…”

“Then, please give me this.”

“That’s not possible! Since it’s the second reward, it has to be at least of a lower rank!”

“Ah. So, were you intentionally trying to give me a ‘lower-rank’ reward at first?”

“…Alright.”

With a deep sigh escaping from the Administrator’s lips, he watched Se-woon, who was eagerly selecting another reward.

[ Emperor Taejo’s Battle Robe ]

Category: Cloak

Rank: S-

Description: The battle robe used by ‘Cao Cao’, the last Chancellor of the Han Dynasty and the founding Emperor of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.

Abilities:

1. Heroic Valor – Increases efficiency of all stats and skills by 10%.

2. Priority in Leading Troops – Increases the combat power of troops by 10% when leading the front lines in a conquest.

3. Prioritize Kinship – Enhances combat Power of trusted soldiers by 10% (Can designate up to 10 individuals, can be stacked with Priority in Leading Troops).

Emperor Taejo’s Battle Robe, also known as Cao Cao’s battle robe, was an S-rank item surpassing the initial A+ rank items shown by the Administrator.

The Hardened Divine Blood and Black Thorn Vine also had tempting abilities, and the previous Se-woon might have chosen them without hesitation.

“To lead a clan, this is better.”

Se-woon was no longer alone. Now determined to lead clan members like Yu Seo-ah and Kang Han-cheol, such a strategic item was essential.

Moreover.

‘All these effects apply to me as well.’

The first ability, increasing all abilities and skill efficiency by 10%.

On top of that, both Priority in Leading Troops and Prioritize Kinship could be stacked.

Meaning, in battle, Se-woon’s power could soar over 30%. Merely by donning a cloak, not wielding a sword or armor.

This alone justified the ‘Emperor Taejo’s Battle Robe’ having S-rank performance.

*Swish*

“The fit is comfortable, too.”

The robe was largely red with the golden dragon insignia symbolizing the emperor, melding seamlessly with Se-woon as if it had been his, to begin with.

He felt a bit regretful about discarding the Fear ability of the ‘Gray Wolf Cloak’ he originally wore, but this robe’s remarkable performance was worth the trade-off.

Next up was the primary Tutorial reward, the ‘Small Key.’

[ Small Key ]

Category: ??

Rank: ??

Description: ??

Abilities: ??

Unfortunately, even after receiving the physical key and checking the information, no proper details could be found.

Yet, Se-woon had a vague intuition about this key.

“The Universal Key.”

Otherwise known as the Master Key.

It was an all-opening key capable of unlocking or unsealing anything bound or locked, a legendary artifact encountered only through records.

Without its details verified, he couldn’t be absolutely certain, but that would be something to examine upon entering the Tower.

Even if it wasn’t a Master Key, the Orichalcum material itself possessed a value befitting a first-place reward.

“Time to head in.”

He swept his gaze widely over the path he had traveled.

The Tutorial felt unexpectedly long, but in light of the impending Tower ascension, this was just an appetizer.

Thinking so, Se-woon stepped through the Tower’s entrance.

—
(T/N): The chapters keep getting longer and longer lol. I’m not sure if I should split them into two or nah.